PMI Pontianak director Darmanelly said the institution would maximize the use of mobile units to take the service closer to blood donors.

Darmanelly told thejakartapost.com that donors could give blood in the mobile units, which would travel around, or in a room set up at a blood donation event. She further said that blood donation events using mobile units were conducted on the initiative of societal groups while PMI Pontianak was responsible only for supplying medical workers, blood bags and equipment.

PMI Pontianak data reveals that throughout 2015, the number of blood donations via mobile units accounted for 35.38 percent of its blood collection, while the remaining 64.62 percent was collected on the premises.The mobile figure was slightly higher than in 2014, when it was 29.77 percent.

Darmanelly said that in the beginning of 2016, blood donations in Pontianak numbered 1,200-1,600 per month, or an average of 50 per day.

She said demand for blood in Pontianak was 150 bags per day. With only 50 donors giving blood a day, more blood donors were needed to meet demand.

“With blood donations via mobile units, we dispatch a full medical team with adequate equipment to reach stakeholders, which organize blood drives. By using this method, people previously afraid of donating blood are encouraged to participate in blood drives. They find more courage,” said Darmanelly.

PMI Pontianak meets blood demand not only from residents in the city but also from people in other areas across West Kalimantan province.  

PMI Pontianak partners with a number of stakeholders, such as media companies, private businesses, government institutions and individuals, to boost the use of mobile units for blood donations. These activities are often held with fun walks on Sundays.

“Every three months, a dentist routinely organizes several communities, with 70 regular donors, to participate in blood donations at the dentist’s clinic with our support. We hope for similar initiatives in the future,” said Darmanelly.

Last week in Tanjung Hulu, Pontianak, the Santo Hieronimus Catholic Church's Easter celebrations organizing committee held a blood drive. The committee’s social affairs coordinator, Shelly Febriana, said the event was held after Sunday Mass at the church.

“From around 50 congregation members who registered to give blood, 26 people were declared eligible to donate. Thank God we could help other people through this social event as a drop of blood can save a person's life,” said Shelly, adding that four PMI Pontianak workers collected the blood at the event.

A PMI Pontianak staff member, Tedy, said he and colleagues often worked at blood donation events in mobile units.

Tedy said that for each blood drive, PMI Pontianak prepared three beds, blood bags, medical equipment and three or four medial workers. (ebf)

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